Galanin receptor (GALR2) binding assay

ABSTRACT

A new galanin receptor, GALR2, is described. Also provided are nucleic acids encoding same and various assays to identify ligands particular to said receptor. Ligands so identified are useful for the treatment of obesity, treatment of pain, and treatment of cognitive disorders.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/993,088, filed Dec. 18, 1997, which claims priority to application Ser. No. 60/033,851, filed Dec. 27, 1996.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED R&D

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novel galanin receptor, designated GALR2, to nucleotides encoding it, and to assays which use it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although first isolated from porcine intestine, galanin is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system. Galanin in most species is a 29 amino acid peptide with an amidated carboxyl terminus. Human galanin is unique in that it is longer, 30 amino acids, and is not amidated. There is strong conservation of the galanin sequence with the amino terminal fifteen residues being absolutely conserved in all species. Galanin immunoreactivity and binding is abundant in the hypothalamus, the locus coeruleus, the hippocampus and the anterior pituitary, as well as regions of the spinal cord, the pancreas and the gastrointestinal tract.

Like neuropeptide Y (NPY), injection of galanin into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus produces a dose-dependent increase in feeding in satiated rats. While galanin, like norepinephrine, enhances carbohydrate ingestion, some studies have shown that it profoundly increases fat intake. It has been suggested that galanin shifts macronutrient preference from carbohydrate to fat. The same injections that increase feeding reduce energy expenditure and inhibit insulin secretion. There is enhanced galanin expression in the hypothalamus of genetically obese rats compared with their lean littermate controls. Injection of peptide receptor antagonists into the PVN blocks the galanin-specific induction of increased fat intake. Specific galanin antisense oligonucleotides when injected into the PVN produce a specific decrease in galanin expression associated with a decrease in fat ingestion and total caloric intake while hardly affecting either protein or carbohydrate intake. Thus galanin appears to be one potential neurochemical marker related to the behavior of fat ingestion.

Galanin inhibits cholinergic function and impairs working memory in rats. Lesions that destroy cholinergic neurons result in deficits in spatial learning tasks. While locally administered acetylcholine (ACh) reverses some of this deficit, galanin blocks this ACh-mediated improvement. Evidence from autopsy samples from Alzheimer's disease-afflicted brains suggests an increased galinergic innervation of the nucleus basilis. Thus, if galinergic overactivity contributes to the decline in cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease, galanin antagonists may be therapeutically useful in alleviating cognitive impairment.

In the rat, administration of galanin intracerebroventricularly, subcutaneously or intravenously increases plasma growth hormone. Infusion of human galanin into healthy subjects also increases plasma growth hormone and potently enhances the growth hormone response to GHRH.

Galanin levels are particularly high in dorsal root ganglia. Sciatic nerve resection dramatically up-regulates galanin peptide and mRNA levels. Chronic administration of galanin receptor antagonists (M35, M15) after axotomy results in a marked increase in self mutilation behavior in rats, generally considered to be a response to pain. Application of antisense oligonucleotides specific for galanin to the proximal end of a transected sciatic nerve suppressed the increase in galanin peptide levels with a parallel increase in autotomy. Galanin injected intrathecally acts synergistically with morphine to produce analgesia, this antinociceptive effect of morphine is blocked by galanin receptor antagonists. Thus, galanin agonists may have some utility in relieving neural pain.

The actions of galanin are mediated by high affinity galanin receptors that are coupled by pertussis toxin sensitive G_(i)/G_(o) proteins to inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity, closure of L-type Ca⁺⁺ channels and opening of ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels. Specific binding of ¹²⁵I-galanin (Kd approximately 1 nM) has been demonstrated in areas paralleling localization of galanin immunoreactivity: hypothalamus, ventral hippocampus, basal forebrain, spinal cord, pancreas and pituitary. In most tissues the amino terminus (GAL 1-15) is sufficient for high affinity binding and agonist activity.

Recently, a galanin receptor cDNA was isolated by expression cloning from a human Bowes melanoma cell line. (Habert-Ortoli, et al. 1994. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci, USA 91: 9780-9783). This receptor, GALR1, is expressed in human fetal brain and small intestine, but little else is known of its distribution. Gal(1-16) is at least 1000 times more active than pGAL(3-29) as an inhibitor of ¹²⁵I-porcine galanin binding to this receptor transiently expressed in COS cells. It remains to be determined whether this receptor subtype represents the hypothalamic receptor that mediates the galanin specific feeding behavior.

It would be desirable to identify further galanin receptors so that they can be used to further characterize this biological system and to identify galanin receptor subtype selective agonists and antagonists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a novel galanin receptor, designated GALR2, substantially free from associated proteins, and to GALR2-like receptors which are at least about 40% homologous and which have substantially the same biological activity. In preferred embodiments of this invention, the GALR2-like receptors are at least about 60%, and more preferably at least about 75%, and even more preferably at least about 85% homologous to a GALR2 receptor. This invention also relates specifically to rat, human and mouse GALR2, substantially free from associated proteins, and to receptors which are at least about 50% homologous and which have substantially the same biological activity.

Another aspect of this invention are primate and non-primate GALR2 proteins which are encoded by substantially the same nucleic acid sequences, but which have undergone changes in splicing or other RNA processing-derived modifications or mutagenesis-induced changes, so that the expressed protein has a homologous, but different amino acid sequence from the native forms. These variant forms may have different and/or additional functions in human and animal physiology or in vitro in cell based assays.

A further aspect of this invention are nucleic acids which encode a galanin receptor or a functional equivalent from rat, human, mouse, swine, or other species. These nucleic acids may be free from associated nucleic acids, or they may be isolated or purified. The nucleic acids which encode a receptor of this invention may be any type of nucleic acid. Preferred forms are DNAs, including genomic and cDNA, although this invention specifically includes RNAs as well. Nucleic acid constructs may also contain regions which control transcription and translation such as one or more promoter regions, termination regions, and if desired enhancer regions. The nucleic acids may be inserted into any known vector including plasmids, and used to transfect suitable host cells using techniques generally available to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Another aspect of this invention are vectors comprising nucleic acids which encode GALR2, and host cells which contain these vectors. Still another aspect of this invention is a method of making GALR2 comprising introducing a vector comprising nucleic acids encoding GALR2 into a host cell under culturing conditions.

Yet another aspect of this invention are assays for GALR2 ligands which utilize the receptors and/or nucleic acids of this invention. Preferred assays of this embodiment compare the binding of the putative GALR2 ligand to the binding of galanin to GALR2.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B provide the nucleic acid sequence of rat GALR2 (clone 27A) containing 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (SEQ ID NO:1).

FIGS. 2A and 2B provide the nucleic acid sequence of GALR2 (clone 27A) from initiator Met to polyadenylation positions 296-2,200 of SEQ ID NO:1).

FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B provide a schematic representation of GALR2 (clone 27A) and the nucleic acid and deduced amino acid (SEQ ID NO: 2) sequence of GALR2 (clone 27A).

FIG. 4 is the deduced amino acid sequence of GALR2 (clone 27A) (SEQ ID NO: 2).

FIGS. 5A and 5B provide a comparison (PileUp alignment) of amino acid sequences for rat GALR1 (SEQ ID NO: 3) and rat GALR2 (SEQ ID NO:2).

FIG. 6 is the nucleic acid sequence of the cDNA probe used to isolate GALR2 (SEQ ID NO:4).

FIGS. 7A and 7B provide the DNA sequence of human GALR2 gene (SEQ ID NO:5).

FIG. 8 is the DNA sequence (open reading frame only) of human GALR2 gene (SEQ ID NO:6).

FIGS. 9A and 9B provide the deduced amino acid sequence of human GALR2 (SEQ ID NO:7).

FIG. 10 demonstrates the pharmacology of human and rat GALR2.

FIG. 11 illustrates G_(q) or G_(s) coupled response (pigment dispersion) as well as G_(i)-coupled response (pigment aggregation).

FIG. 12 is the DNA sequence of mouse GALR2 gene (SEQ ID NO:8).

FIG. 13 is the amino acid sequence for mouse GALR2 gene (SEQ ID NO:9).

FIGS. 14A and 14B provide a comparison of human, rat and mouse GALR1 and GALR2 protein sequences showing strong sequence conservation amoung members of the GALR gene family mGALR1 is SEQ ID NO: 10; rGALR1 is SEQ ID NO: 3; hGALR1 is SEQ ID NO: 11; mGALR2 is SEQ ID NO: 9; rGALR2 is SEQ ID NO: 2; hGALR2 is SEQ ID NO: 7.

FIG. 15 is the RNA expression profile of human GALR2.

FIG. 16 illustrates the expression of rat GALR2 in the brain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used throughout the specification and claims, the following definitions apply:

“Substantially free from associated proteins” means that the receptor is at least about 90%, and preferably at least about 95% free from other cell membrane proteins which are normally found in a living mammalian cell which expresses a galanin receptor.

“Substantially free from associated nucleic acids” means that the nucleic acid is at least about 90%, and preferably at least about 95%, free from other nucleic acids which are normally found in a living mammalian cell which naturally expresses a galanin receptor gene.

“Substantially the same biological activity” means that the receptor-galanin binding constant is within 5-fold of the binding constant of GALR2 and galanin, and preferably within 2-fold of the binding constant of GALR2 and galanin.

“Stringent post-hybridizational washing conditions” means 0.1× standard saline citrate (SSC) at 65° C.

“Standard post-hybridizational washing conditions” means 6×SSC at 55° C.

“Relaxed post-hybridizational washing conditions” means 6×SSC at 30° C., or 1 to 2×SSC at 55° C.

“Functional equivalent” means that a receptor which does not have the exact same amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring GALR2 protein due to alternative splicing, deletions, mutations, or additions, but retains at least 1%, preferably 10%, and more preferably 25% of the biological activity of the naturally occurring receptor. Such derivatives will have a significant homology with a natural GALR2 and can be detected by reduced stringency hybridization with a DNA sequence obtained from a GALR2. The nucleic acid encoding a functional equivalent has at least about 60% homology at the nucleotide level to a naturally occurring receptor nucleic acid.

It has been found, in accordance with this invention, that there is a second galanin receptor, which is designated GALR2. The rat, human and mouse GALR2 sequences are given in FIGS. 4, 9 and 13, respectively, and are referenced in the Examples; however it is to be understood that this invention specifically includes GALR2 without regard to the species and, in particular, specifically includes rodent (including rat and mouse), rhesus, swine, chicken, cow and human. The galanin 2 receptors are highly conserved throughout species, and one of ordinary skill in the art, given the rat, human and/or mouse sequences presented herein, can easily design probes to obtain the GALR2 from other species.

GALR2 proteins contain various functional domains, including one or more domains which anchor the receptor in the cell membrane, and at least one ligand binding domain. As with many receptor proteins, it is possible to modify many of the amino acids, particularly those which are not found in the ligand binding domain, and still retain at least a percentage of the biological activity of the original receptor. Thus this invention specifically includes modified functionally equivalent GALR2s which have deleted, truncated, or mutated N-terminal portions. This invention also specifically includes modified functionally equivalent GALR2s which contain modifications and/or deletions in other domains, which are not accompanied by a loss of functional activity.

Additionally, it is possible to modify other functional domains such as those that interact with second messenger effector systems, by altering binding specificity and/or selectivity. Such functionally equivalent mutant receptors are also within the scope of this invention.

The proteins of this invention were found to have structural features which are typical of the 7-transmembrane domain (TM) containing G-protein linked receptor superfamily (GPC-R's or 7-TM receptors). Thus GALR2 proteins make up new members of the GPC-R family of receptors. The intact GALR2 of this invention was found to have the general features of GPC-R's, including seven transmembrane regions, three intra- and extracellular loops, and the GPC-R protein signature sequence. The TM domains and GPC-R protein signature sequence are noted in the protein sequences of the GALR2. Not all regions are required for functioning, and therefore this invention also comprises functional receptors which lack one or more non-essential domains.

Determination of the nucleotide sequence indicated that the GALR2 belongs to the intron-containing class of GPC-R's. Clone 27A, a precursor mRNA terminating in a poly (A) tract, encodes a 1119 bp open reading frame divided into two exons by a single intron of approximately 500 bp (FIG. 4). Exon 1 encodes the N-terminal extracellular domain through predicted TM-3, while exon 2 encodes the second predicted extracellular loop through the C-terminal intracellular domain. A perfectly conserved splice donor site (G/gt) is found at nucleotide 368 which coincides with the second residue of the G protein-coupled receptor signature aromatic triplet, (D,E) RY.

Removal of the intron indicates that clone 27A encodes a full-length rat galanin receptor polypeptide of 372-amino acids with 7 predicted TM domains, as underlined in FIG. 4. Searches of nucleic acid and protein sequence databases revealed that the open reading frame sequence is unique and most closely related to rat galanin 1 receptor (GALR1) with 55% nucleic acid and 38% protein sequence identity. An alignment of the protein sequences for rat GALR1 and GALR2 is given in FIG. 5. Several conserved features ascribed to GPC-R's were also identified in the rat GALR2: the signature aromatic triplet sequence (Glu-Arg-Tyr) adjacent to TM-3, Cys-98 and Cys-153 in the first two extracellular loops capable of disulfide bonding, putative amino-terminal N-glycosylation sites (Asn-Xaa-Ser/Thr), phosphorylation sites in the carboxyl-terminus and the third cytoplasmic loop, and conserved proline residues in TM-4, 5, 6 and 7.

A second cDNA clone was isolated, termed clone 16.6, which does not contain an intron and is therefore a contiguous cDNA containing the complete open reading frame of GALR2. Like clone 27A, Clone 16.6 contains a 5′ untranslated region of approximately 500 bp, a contiguous GALR2 open reading frame encoding 7-TM domains (1119 bp), a 3′ untranslated region of about 320 bp, and a poly (A) tract. The open reading frame sequence is identical for clones 27A (SEQ ID NO: 18) and 16.6 (SEQ ID NO: 19) except for nucleotide 109 of the open reading frame (located in predicted TM-1). Clone 27A contains a C while Clone 16.6 contains a T in position 109. Thus, amino acid 37 of the GALR2 protein is phenylalanine in Clone 16.6 (SEQ ID NO: 20) and leucine in Clone 27A. Both the DNAs of clones 27A and Clone 16.6 form aspects of this invention, as do their respective proteins.

The human GALR2 protein bears strong sequence identity and similarity to the rat GALR2 ortholog. One notable difference between the human and rat forms is the presence of an additional 15 amino acids in the C-terminal intracellular domain of human GALR2. The mouse protein sequence, as well, bears very strong identity and similarity with the GALR gene family.

This invention also relates to truncated forms of GALR2, particularly those which encompass the extracellular portion of the receptor, but lack the intracellular signaling portion of the receptor, and to nucleic acids encoding these truncated forms. Such truncated receptors are useful in various binding assays. Thus this invention specifically includes modified functionally equivalent GALR2s which have deleted, truncated, or mutated N-terminal portions. This invention also specifically includes modified functionally equivalent GALR2s including receptor chimeras which contain modifications and/or deletions in other domains, which are not accompanied by a loss of functional activity.

Additionally, it is possible to modify other functional domains such as those that interact with second messenger effector systems, by altering binding specificity and/or selectivity. Such functionally equivalent mutant receptors are also within the scope of this invention.

Assays which make up further aspects of this invention include binding assays (competition for ¹²⁵I-galanin binding), coupling assays (including galanin-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase in cells expressing galanin receptors), measurement of galanin-stimulated calcium release in cells expressing galanin receptors (such as aequorin assays), stimulation of inward rectifying potassium channels (GIRK channels, measured by voltage changes) in cells expressing galanin receptors, and measurement of pH changes upon galanin stimulation of cells expressing galanin receptors as measured with a microphysiometer.

Host cells may be cultured under suitable conditions to produce GALR2. An expression vector containing DNA encoding the receptor may be used for expression of receptor in a recombinant host cell. Recombinant host cells may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic, including but not limited to bacteria such as E. coli, fungal cells such as yeast, mammalian cells including but not limited to cell lines of human, bovine, porcine, monkey and rodent origin, and insect cells including but not limited to Drosophila , Spodoptera, and silkworm derived cell lines. Cell lines derived from mammalian species which are suitable and which are commercially available include, but are not limited to, L cells L-M(TK-) (ATCC CCL 1.3), L cells L-M (ATCC CCL 1.2), 293 (ATCC CRL 1573), Raji (ATCC CCL 86), CV-1 (ATCC CCL 70), COS-1 (ATCC CRL 1650), COS-7 (ATCC CRL 1651), CHO-K1 (ATCC CCL 61), 3T3 (ATCC CCL 92), NIH/3T3 (ATCC CRL 1658), HeLa (ATCC CCL 2), C127I (ATCC CRL 1616), BS-C-1 (ATCC CCL 26) and MRC-5 (ATCC CCL 171).

The specificity of binding of compounds showing affinity for the receptor is shown by measuring the affinity of the compounds for cells transfected with the cloned receptor or for membranes from these cells. Expression of the cloned receptor and screening for compounds that inhibit the binding of radiolabeled ligand to these cells provides a rational way for rapid selection of compounds with high affinity for the receptor. These compounds identified by the above assays may be agonists or antagonists of the receptor and may be peptides, proteins, or non-proteinaceous organic molecules. Alternatively, functional assays of the receptor may be used to screen for compounds which affect the activity of the receptor. Such functional assays range from ex vivo muscle contraction assays to assays which determine second messenger levels in cells expressing the receptor. The second messenger assays include, but are not limited to, assays to measure cyclic AMP or calcium levels or assays to measure adenyl cyclase activity. These compounds identified by the above assays may be agonists, antagonists, suppressors, or inducers of the receptor. The functional activity of these compounds is best assessed by using the receptor either natively expressed in tissues or cloned and exogenously expressed.

Using the assays of this invention, galanin agonists and antagonists may be identified. A galanin agonist is a compound which binds to the GALR2, such as a galanin mimetic, and produces a cellular response which is at least about equivalent to that of galanin, and which may be greater than that of galanin. Such compounds would be useful in situations where galanin insufficiency causes anorexia, or for treatment of pain.

Also using this embodiment of the assay, galanin antagonists may be identified. A galanin antagonist is a compound which can bind to the GALR2, but produces a lesser response than that of native galanin. Such compounds would be useful in the treatment of obesity.

One assay of this invention is a method of identifying a compound which modulates GALR2 receptor comprising: a) culturing cells expressing the GALR2 receptor in the presence of the compound and b) measuring GALR2 receptor activity or second messenger activity. If desired, the determined activity can be compared to a standard, such as that measured using galanin as the compound. In preferred embodiments, the cells are transformed and express the GALR2 receptor.

The consultant cDNA clone (or shorter portions of, for instance, only 15 nucleotides long) may be used to probe libraries under hybridization conditions to find other receptors which are similar enough so that the nucleic acids can hybridize, and is particularly useful for screening libraries from other species. In this step, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hybridization conditions can vary from very stringent to relaxed. Proper temperature, salt concentrations, and buffers are well known.

The following non-limiting Examples are presented to better illustrate the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A cDNA library from rat hypothalamus was constructed in the plasmid-based mammalian vector pcDNA-3 (InVitrogen, San Diego, Calif.). Total RNA was isolated from freshly-dissected rat hypothalami (flash-frozen in liquid nitrogen) using the RNagents total RNA isolation kit (Promega Biotech, Madison, Wis.) with a yield of approximately 0.5 mg from 1 g (wet weight) of hypothalamic tissue. Poly (A)⁺mRNA was selected using the Poly A tract mRNA Isolation System III (Promega Biotech) with a yield of approximately 6 μg from 0.5 μg total RNA. 3 μg of poly (A)⁺ was then utilized as a template for cDNA synthesis using a kit (Choice Superscript, Life Technologies, Gaithersberg, Md.) with both random hexamer and oligo (dT)-Not I priming. The double-stranded cDNA was adapted for insertion into the BstXI site of pCDNA-3 using EcoRI/BstXI adapters and transformed by electroporation into the E.coli strain HB101. The resulting library contained approximately 750,000 primary transformants with 90% of the clones containing inserts (average size 1-2 kb). The library (approximately 700,000 cfu) was plated onto LB plates containing ampicillin and chloramphenicol and probed with an approximately 280 bp PCR fragment (SEQ ID NO:4). Hybridization was conducted at 32° C. for 18 hrs. in 5×SSPE buffer containing 50% formamide, 4×Denhardt's solution, 0.1% SDS, 10% dextran sulfate, 30 μg/ml sheared salmon-sperm DNA with 2×10⁶ cpm/ml of ³²P-labeled probe. The probe was radiolabeled by random-priming with [α]³²P-dCTP to a specific activity of greater than 10⁹ dpm/μg. The filters were then washed in 1×SSC, 0.1% SDS at 55° C. and exposed to film (Kodak X-omat) for 48 hrs. Two independent positive clones were identified (clones 27A and 16.6) and subjected to further analysis.

EXAMPLE 2

Sequence Analysis of GALR2

DNA was prepared from overnight cultures using the Wizard DNA Purification System (Promega Corp., Madison, Wis.) and subjected to automated sequence analysis using the PRISM Dye Deoxy terminator cycle sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) on an ABI 377 instrument. Initial sequencing primers were complementary to the T7 and SP6 promoter sites in pcDNA-3, additional primers were made complementary to the insert DNA. Database searches (Genbank, EMBL, Swiss-Prot, PIR, dEST, Prosite, dbGPCR), sequence alignments, and analysis of the galanin receptor nucleotide and protein sequences were carried out using the GCG Sequence Analysis Software Package (Madison, Wis.; pileup, peptide structure and motif programs), FASTA and BLAST search programs, and the PC/Gene software suite from Intelligenetics (San Francisco, Calif.; protein analysis programs).

EXAMPLE 3

Construction of a Vector for Expression of GALR2

Five μg of the mammalian expression vector pCI.neo (Promega Biotech, Madison Wis.) was digested with 20 units of EcoRI for 2 hours at 37° C. The digest was then treated with calf intestinal phosphatase and then electrophoresed on 1% Seaplaque gel in 1×TAE buffer and the band corresponding to linearized vector was cut out. DNA was recovered from the slice after melting at 65° C. using the Promega Wizard PCR system (Promega Biotech). DNA was quantitated by electrophoresis with standards on a 1% TBE gel. 100 ng of the 2200 bp EcoRI insert (including the intron) from pCDNA-3/27A was ligated to 50 ng of the vector pCI.neo in a 10 ml reaction at room temperature for 1 hour. 1 μl of this ligation mixture was used to transform 50 μl competent DH5a cells (Life Technologies). Clones in the correct orientation were selected following a digest with BamHI. Transfection-quality DNA was then prepared using the Qiagen Maxi protocol (Qiagen, Chatsworth, Calif.). Mammalian COS-7 cells were transfected by electroporation. COS-7 cells (1×10⁷) were suspended in 0.85 ml of Ringers' buffer and 15 mg of the pCI.neo/27A clone was added to a 0.4 mm electroporation cuvette (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.). Current was applied (960 μF, 260 V) using a Bio-Rad Electroporator device and the cells were transferred to a T-180 flask (Corning). Expression was allowed to proceed for 72 hrs.

EXAMPLE 4

Pharmacology of GALR2

Membranes were prepared from transfected cells following dissociation in enzyme-free dissociation solution (Specialty Media, Lavallette, N.J.) by disruption in a Dounce homogenizer in ice-cold membrane buffer (10 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 10 mM PMSF, 10 μM phosphoramidon, and 40 μg/ml bacitracin). After a low speed (1100×g for 10 min. at 4° C.) and a high speed centrifugation (38,700×g for 15 min. at 4° C.), membranes were resuspended in buffer and protein concentration determined (Bio-Rad assay kit). Binding of ¹²⁵I-human galanin (specific activity of 2200 Ci/mmol, DuPont NEN) was measured in membranes using a buffer of 25 mM Tris pH 7.4, 0.5% BSA, 2 mM MgCl₂, 40 μg/ml bacitracin, 4 μg/ml phosphoramidon, and 10 μM leupeptin in a total volume of 250 μl. 70 pM ¹²⁵I-human galanin was used. Reactions were initiated by the addition of membranes and the incubation was allowed to proceed at room temperature for 1 hour. Non-specific binding was defined as the amount of radioactivity remaining bound in the presence of 1 μM cold galanin. In competition studies various concentrations of peptides (hGal, pGal, hGal(1-16), rGAL(2-29), rGAL(3-29), hGal (1-19) or chimeric peptides (C7, M15, M40, M35) were included along with ¹²⁵I-hGal (70 pmol). Incubations were terminated by rapid filtration through GF/C filters which had been presoaked with 0.1% polyethylamine using a TOMTEC (Orange, Conn.) cell harvester. The results were analyzed using the Prism software package (GraphPad, San Diego, Calif.). Shown in the table below is the ligand binding profiles of both rat GALR1 and rat GALR2 proteins (clone 27A shown; clone 16.6 gave similar results). The K_(D) for binding of ¹²⁵I-labeled human galanin against rat GALR2 was 0.2 nM.

IC50 (nM) rat GALR1 rat GALR2 (clone 27A) pig Galanin 0.06 0.46 human Galanin 0.07 ± 0.01 1.3 ± 0.5 rat Gal(2-29) 7.2 2.9 ± 1.3 rat Gal (3-29) >1000 >1000 human Gal (1-19) 0.86 pig Gal (1-16) 0.27 ± 0.18 3.0 galantide(M15) 1.0 ± 1.1  28 ± 3.5 C7 4.9 ± 3   23 ± 13 M40 0.01  1.9 ± 0.14 M35 0.9 ± 0.6 0.43 ± 0.18

EXAMPLE 5

Expression of Rat GALR2

In situ hybidization was conducted to map the distribution of GALR2 mRNA in rat brain using a ³²P-labeled GALR2 ORF fragment as a hybridization probe; see O'Dowd, B. F. et al. 1995 Genomics 28:84-91. Specific hybridization was detected in a number of brain nuclei and regions, most notably supra-, pre-(PMD/ PMV), med- and lateral mammillary nuclei, the dendate gyrus (DG), cingulate gyrus (CG), posterior hypothalamic (PH), supraoptic and arcuate nuclei (Arc) as shown in FIG. 16. Both frontal and parietal cortical regions were also labeled.

Clone Isolation of Human GALR2: Cloning of Partial GalR2 Gene by Degenerate PCR.

Human genomic DNA was amplified by PCR using degenerate oligonucleotides designed based on the sequences encoding transmembranes (TM) regions TM3 (P1: 5′ CTG ACC GYC ATG RSC ATT GAC SGC TAC, SEQ ID NO:16, wherein Y=C or T, R=A or G, S=C or G) and TM7 (P2: 5′-GGG GTT GRS GCA GCT GTT GGC RTA, SEQ ID NO:17) of somatostatin receptors and the receptor encoded by the somatostatin-related gene, SLC-1. The PCR conditions were as follows: denaturation at 95° C. for 1 min, annealing at either 55° C., 45° C., or 38 ° C. for 1 min and extension at 72° C. for 2.5 min for 30 cycles, followed by a 7 min extension at 72° C. The resultant PCR products were phenol/chloroform extracted, precipitated with ethanol, phosphorylated with T4 polynucleotide kinase, and blunt-ended with Klenow enzyme. Subsequently, they were electrophoresed on a 0.5% low-melting point agarose and a fragment of the expected size was subcloned into the EcoRV site of pBluescript SK(−) (Stratagene, La Jolla, Calif.). Colonies were selected, plasmid DNA was purified, and the inserts sequenced.

EXAMPLE 6

Gene Sequence and Structure; Cloning and Sequencing of Human GalR2 Genomic DNA.

DNA fragments radiolabelled with [32P]dCTP by nick translation (Amersham) were used as a probe to screen a EMBL3 SP6/T7 human genomic library (Clontech, Palo Alto, Calif.). Positive phage clones were plaque purified, DNA was prepared, restriction enzyme digested, electrophoresed on an agarose gel, transferred to nylon membrane, and hybridized with the same probe used to screen the library, as described by Marchese et al, 1994 [Genomics 23, 609-618]. Positive phage were subcloned by digesting phage DNA, and subcloning the resultant fragment into the pBluescript vector. The DNA sequence of the clone was determined using standard methods on an ABI 372 automated sequencer (Perkin-Elmer-Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.). As shown in FIG. 7, the sequence determined shows a gene with a total of two exons interrupted by an 1800 bp intron. The deduced amino acid sequence (FIG. 9) of the complete open reading frame (FIG. 8) gives a protein of 387 amino acids with features typical of G protein-coupled receptors including 7 transmembrane alpha helical domains. FIG. 14 shows an alignment of GALR1 and GALR2 protein sequences with the seven transmembrane domains underlined. The human GALR2 protein bears strong sequence identity and similarity to the rat GALR2 ortholog. One notable difference between the human and rat forms is the presence of an additional 15 amino acids in the C-terminal intracellular domain of human GALR2.

EXAMPLE 7

Receptor Expression: Human and Rat GALR2; Construction of Human GalR2 Expression Plasmid

The human GalR2 expression construct was assembled from the human genomic clone by PCR. Each exon was PCR amplified using standard conditions. The primers for exon I were: Forward, Exon I (5′-CCG GAA TTC GGT ACC ATG AAC GTC TCG GGC TGC CC-3′; SEQ ID NO:12) and Reverse, Exon I (5′-GGT AGC GGA TGG CCA GAT ACC TGT CTA GAG AGA CGG CGG CC-3′; SEQ ID NO:13). The primers for exon II were: Forward, Exon II (5′-GGC CGC CGT CTC TCT AGA CAG GTA TCT GGC CAT CCG CTA CC-3′; SEQ ID NO:14) and Reverse, Exon II (5′-GGC CGC CGT CTC TCT AGA CAG GTA TCT GGC CAT CCG CTA CC-3′; SEQ ID NO:15). PCR products were subcloned in to pBluescript and sequenced. Exon I product was subcloned into the EcoRI and XbaI sites of plasmid pCINeo (Promega, Madison, Wis.). Exon II was then cloned into the XbaI site and the orientation determined by appropriate restriction digests and DNA sequencing.

EXAMPLE 8

Radioligand Binding Assay

Plasmid DNA was prepared using the Qiagen Maxi protocol (Qiagen, Chatsworth, Calif.) and transfected into COS-7 cells by electroporation. Briefly, 0.85 μl COS-7 cells in Ringers' buffer (1.2×10⁷/ml) and 20 μg of DNA were mixed in a 0.4 mm electroporation cuvette (Bio-Rad, Hercules, Calif.) and current (960 μF, 260 V) was applied using a Bio-Rad Electroporator device. Cells were transferred to a T-180 flask (Corning) with fresh media and expression was allowed to proceed for 72 hrs. Membranes were prepared from transfected cells following disruption in enzyme-free dissociation solution (Specialty Media, Lavallette, N.J.) in a Dounce homogenizer in ice-cold membrane buffer (10 mM Tris, pH 7.4, 10 mM PMSF, 10 μM phosphoramidon, and 40 μg/ml bacitracin). After a low speed (1100×g, 10 min. at 4° C.) and a high speed centrifugation (38,700×g for 15 min. at 4° C.), membranes were suspended in buffer and the protein concentration determined (Bio-Rad assay kit). Binding of ¹²⁵I-human galanin (sp. act=2200 Ci/mmol, DuPont NEN) was measured in membranes using a buffer of 25 mM Tris pH 7.4, 0.5% BSA, 2 mM MgCl₂, 40 μg/ml bacitracin, 4 μg/ml phosphoramidon, and 10 μM leupeptin in a total volume of 0.25 ml. 70 pm ¹²⁵I-human galanin was used. Reactions were initiated by the addition of membranes and the incubation was allowed to proceed at room temperature for 1 hour. Non-specific binding was defined as the amount of membrane bound radioactivity remaining in the presence of 1 μM cold galanin. In competition studies various concentrations of peptides (hGal, pGal, hGal(1-16), rGAL(2-29), rGAL(3-29), hGal (1-19) or chimeric peptides (C7, M15, M40, M35) were included along with ¹²⁵I-hGal (70 pmol). Incubations were terminated by rapid filtration through GF/C filters which had been presoaked with 0.1% polyethylamine using a TOMTEC (Orange, Conn.) cell harvester. The results were analyzed using the Prism software package (GraphPad, San Diego, Calif.).

Recombinant expression of human GALR2 binding sites in transiently transfected COS-7 permitted the determination of pharmacology of the cloned receptor. ¹²⁵I-human galanin bound to the cloned GALR2 receptor with high affinity in a saturable and specific manner with a K_(D) of 5 nM. As summarized in FIG. 10, competition of ¹²⁵I-human galanin with a variety of galanin-derived peptides and chimeric peptide antagonist/partial agonists showed that the human GALR2 receptor has a similar pharmacology of binding to that of the rat GALR2.

EXAMPLE 9

Functional Characterization: Post-receptor Signalling Mechanism Frog Melanophore Assay

Growth of Xenopus laevis melanophores and fibroblasts was performed as described previously (Potenza, M.N. et al, 1992, Pigment Cell Res. 3:38-43). Briefly, melanophores were grown in fibroblast-conditioned growth medium. The fibroblast-conditioned growth medium was prepared by growing fibroblasts in 70% L-15 medium (Sigma), pH 7.3, supplemented with 20% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (Gibco), 100 μg/ml streptomycin, 100 units/ml penicillin and 2 mM glutamine at 27.5° C. The medium from growing fibroblasts was collected, passed through a 0.2 μm filter (fibroblast-conditioned growth medium) and used to culture melanophores at 27.5° C.

Plasmid DNA was transiently transfected into melanophores by electroporation using a BTX ECM600 electroporator (Genetronics, Inc. San Diego, Calif.). Melanophores were incubated in the presence of fresh fibroblast-conditioned frog medium for 1 hour prior to harvesting of cells. Melanophore monolayers were detached by trypsinization (0.25% trypsin, JHR Biosciences), followed by inactivation of the trypsin with fibroblast-conditioned frog medium. The cells were collected by centrifugation at 200×g for 5 minutes at 4° C. Cells were washed once in fibroblast conditioned frog medium, centrifuged again and resuspended at 5×10⁶ cells per ml in ice cold 70% PBS pH 7.0. 400 μl aliquots of cells in PBS were added to prechilled eppendorf tubes containing 2 μg of pcIneo:human Galanin 2 receptor plasmid DNA mixed with control receptor cDNA and naked vector DNA for a total of 20 μg DNA (2 μg each of pcDNA1amp:cannabinoid 2 and pcDNA3: thromboxane A2 receptor plasmid DNA, and 18 μg of pcDNA3.1 plasmid DNA in 40 μl total volume, or 2 μg each of pcDNA1amp: cannabinoid 2 and pcDNA3:thromboxane A2 receptor plasmid DNA, and 20 μg of pcDNA3.1 plasmid DNA in 40 μl total volume, as a control). Samples were incubated on ice for 20 min, and mixed every 7 minutes. Cell and DNA mixes were transferred to prechilled 2 mM gap electroporation cuvettes (BIX) and electroporated with the following settings: capacitance of 325 microfarad, voltage of 450 volts and resistance of 720 ohms. Immediately following electroporation, cells were mixed with fibroblast-conditioned frog medium (7.85 mls per cuvette) and plated onto flat bottom 96 well microtiter plates (NUNC). Electroporations from multiple cuvettes were pooled together prior to plating to ensure homogenous transfection efficiency. On the day following transfection, medium was removed and fresh fibroblast-conditioned frog medium was added to the melanophore monolayer and cell were incubated at 27° C.

Cells were assayed for receptor expression 2 days following transfection in 96-well plate format. On the day of ligand stimulation, medium was removed by aspiration and cells were washed with 70% L-15 containing 15 mM HEPES pH 7.3 (Sigma). Assays were dividing into two separate parts in order to examine Gs/Gq functional coupling which results in pigment dispersion in melanophores, or Gi functional coupling which results in pigment aggregation. For Gs/Gq functional coupling responses, assays were performed as follows. Cells were incubated in 100 μl of 70% L-15 containing 15 mM HEPES for 1 hour in the dark at room temperature, and then incubated in the presence of melatonin (2 nM final concentration) for 1 hour in the dark at room temperature to induce pigment aggregation. Initial absorbance at 600 nM was measured using a Bio-Tek Elx800 Microplate reader (ESBE Scientific) prior to addition of ligand. Human galanin (Peninsula) was added in duplicate wells, samples were mixed and incubated in the dark at room temperature for 1 hour, after which the final absorbance at 600 nm was determined. For Gi coupled responses, cell monolayers were incubated in the presence of 100 μl of 70% L-15 containing 2% fibroblast-conditioned growth medium, 2 mM glutamine, 100 ug/ml streptomycin, 100 units/ml penicillin and 15 mM HEPES for 15 minutes in the dark at room temperature to preset the cells to dispersion. After initial absorbance at 600 nM was determined, human galanin was added to cell monolayers, samples were mixed, incubated in the dark for 1.5 hour at room temperature and then final absorbances were determined. Absorbance readings were converted to transmission values in order to quantitate pigment dispersion using the following formula: 1−Tf/Ti, where Ti=the initial transmission at 600 nm and Tf=the final transmission at 600 mn. Pigment aggregation was quantitated using the following formula: Af/Ai−1, where Af=final absorbance at 600 nm and Ai is initial absorbance at 600 nm.

To determine whether the human GALR2 could be functionally expressed in melanophores, the expression plasmid pcIneo:hGALR2 was transiently transfected by electroporation into melanophores followed by stimulation of the transfected cells with human galanin. Increasing doses of galanin resulted in a dose-dependent dispersion of pigment in human GALR2-transfected melanophores, in contrast to control vector-transfected cells (FIG. 11). The apparent EC₅₀ for human galanin in pcIneo:hGALR2-transfected melanophores was 20 nM, in general agreement with specific ¹²⁵human galanin binding in pcIneo:hGALR2-transfected COS-7 cells (IC₅₀˜4 nM). The dispersion of pigment in the melanophore has been previously shown to occur either through Gαs coupling and stimulation of adenylyl cyclase or through Gαq coupling and mobilization of calcium.

There was no detectable aggregation of the pigment in either the pcIneo:hGALR2- or mock-transfected melanophores following incubation in the presence of 0.001-1000 nM human galanin. This result suggests that the hGALR2 does not couple to Gαi-mediated signaling pathways.

EXAMPLE 10

Aequorin Bioluminescence Assay

Measurement of GALR2 expression in the aequorin-expressing stable reporter cell line 293-AEQ17 (Button, D et al, 1993 “Aequorin-expressing mammalian cell lines used to report Ca²⁺ mobilization” Cell Calcium 14:663-671) was performed using a Luminoskan RT luminometer (Labsystems Inc., Gaithersburg, Md.) controlled by custom software written for a Macintosh PowerPC 6100. 293-AEQ17 cells (8×10⁵ cells plated 18 hrs. before transfection in a T75 flask) were transfected with 22 μg of rat or human GALR2 plasmid DNA: 264 μg lipofectamine. Following approximately 40 hours of expression the apo-aequorin in the cells was charged for 4 hours with coelenterazine (10 μM) under reducing conditions (300 μM reduced glutathione) in ECB buffer (140 mM NaCl, 20 mM KCl, 20 mM HEPES-NaOH [pH=7.4], 5 mM glucose, 1 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM CaCl₂, 0.1 mg/ml bovine serum albumin). The cells were harvested, washed once in ECB medium and resuspended to 500,000 cells/ml. 100 μl of cell suspension (corresponding to 5×10⁴ cells) was then injected into the test plate, and the integrated light emission was recorded over 30 seconds, in 0.5 second units. 20 mL of lysis buffer (0.1% final Triton X-100 concentration) was then injected and the integrated light emission recorded over 10 seconds, in 0.5 second units. The “fractional response” values for each well were calculated by taking the ratio of the integrated response to the initial challenge to the total integrated luminescence including the Triton-X100 lysis response.

The aequorin bioluminescence assay is a reliable test for identifying G protein-coupled receptors which couple through the Ga protein subunit family consisting of Gq and G11 which leads to the activation of phospholipase C, mobilization of intracellular calcium and activation of protein kinase C. Based on the above melanophore data for GALR2, utilization of the aequorin bioluminescence assay permitted the discrimination between the two possibilities for the primary intra-cellular signaling mechanism for GALR2, namely Gαs coupling and stimulation of adenylyl cyclase or Gαq coupling and mobilization of calcium. Expression of human or rat GALR2 in the aequorin-expressing 293 cell line (293-AEQ17) gave a dose-dependant increase in aequorin bioluminescence in response to challenge by galanin and several related peptides. Transfection of human GALR1, which signals through Gi and the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, gave no galanin-dependant increase in aequorin bioluminescence. Responses observed for human or rat GALR2 activation were saturable and the rank order of potency was similar to that observed for competition studies for ¹²⁵I-human galanin binding. EC₅₀'s, given in nM for the human GALR2 (results were similar for the rat GALR2 ortholog) were: human galanin, 32; rat galanin,12; rat galanin (2-29), 31; rat galanin (3-29)>10,000; M35, 44; M40, 8.8. Of interest to note is that the galanin chimeric peptide antagonists (M35 and M40), thought by some to be pure antagonists on the GALR1 receptor, appear to be partial agonists on the GALR2 receptor. These data indicate that the primary signaling mechanism for GALR2 is through the phopholipase C/protein kinase C pathway, in contrast to GALR1, which communicates its intracellular signal by inhibition of adenylyl cyclase through Gi. In addition, while binding and activation of the rat and human GALR2 receptor by galanin is of high affinity and potency, rat or human GALRl binds and is activated by galanin at a 10-30 fold lower concentration. This observation points to the existence of other undiscovered naturally-occurring ligand systems that may be agonists at the GALR2 receptor.

EXAMPLE 11

RNA Expression Profile of Human GalR2

Northern blotting analysis was utilized to assess the tissue specificity of human GALR2 mRNA expression. As shown in FIG. 15, modest expression (indicated by one “+”) is seen in a variety of brain regions and peripheral tissues, as observed for the rat ortholog of GALR2. The most prevalent transcript size is ˜2.2 kb with a band of ˜1.5 kb observed in spleen, thymus and prostate. Tissues with significantly higher expression levels (indicated by two or three “+”) were placenta, thymus and prostate.

EXAMPLE 12

Chromosome Localization of Human GalR2 Gene

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) of metaphase spread chromosomes derived from human lymphocytes together with DAPI banding patterns was used to map hGalR2 to its chromosome, as described (Heng, H. H. Q. and Tsui, L.-C. Modes of DAPI banding and simultaneous in situ hybridization. Chromosoma 102:325-332). FISH data localize the receptor gene to human chromosome 17q25.

EXAMPLE 13

Mouse GALR2: Clone Isolation; Cloning of Mouse GalR2 Genomic Clone

DNA fragments from the Human GalR2 gene were radiolabelled with [32P]dCTP by random octomer labeling (Gibco BRL) and used as a probe to screen a mouse 129sv genomic library (Stratagene). Positive phage clones were plaque purified, DNA was prepared, restriction enzyme digested, electrophoresed on an agarose gel, transferred to nylon membrane, and hybridized with the same probe used to screen the library. A positive NotI fragment was subcloned into pBluescript (Stratagene).

EXAMPLE 14

Gene Sequence and Structure

DNA sequence encoding the complete ORF for mouse GALR2 (SEQ ID NO:8) is shown in FIG. 12. A single intron of 1060 bp divides the ORF into two exons. Removal of the intron allows for conceptual translation to give the predicted GALR2 polypeptide of 371 amino acids (SEQ ID NO:9) as shown in FIG. 13. Compared to both the human and rat orthologs, the mouse protein sequence bears strong identity (85% and 96% respectively).

20 2200 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 1 CGCTCCCTCC ACACCTCCAG GGGCAGTGAG CCACTCAAGT CTAAAGCAGA GCGAGTCCCA 60 GGACTTGAGC GCGGGAAGCG AATGGAGTCA GGGTCATTCG ATTGCACCTC TCTCGGCTGC 120 GGGCCGGAGC GGGGTACCAT CCTACACTCT GGGTGCTCCC TCCTCCTCCC GTCCCCCGCG 180 CACCCCTGCC CTGGCTCCTG GAGCTCGGCA GTCTCGCTGG GGCGCTGCAG CGAGGGAGCA 240 GCGTGCTCAC CAAGACCCGG ACAGCTGCGG GAGCGGCGTC CACTTTGGTG ATACCATGAA 300 TGGCTCCGGC AGCCAGGGCG CGGAGAACAC GAGCCAGGAA GGCGGTAGCG GCGGCTGGCA 360 GCCTGAGGCG GTCCTTGTAC CCCTATTTTT CGCGCTCATC TTCCTCGTGG GCACCGTGGG 420 CAACGCGCTG GTGCTGGCGG TGCTGCTGCG CGGCGGCCAG GCGGTCAGCA CCACCAACCT 480 GTTCATCCTC AACCTGGGCG TGGCCGACCT GTGTTTCATC CTGTGCTGCG TGCCTTTCCA 540 GGCCACCATC TACACCCTGG ACGACTGGGT GTTCGGCTCG CTGCTCTGCA AGGCTGTTCA 600 TTTCCTCATC TTTCTCACTA TGCACGCCAG CAGCTTCACG CTGGCCGCCG TCTCCCTGGA 660 CAGGTAAAGG ACCCAGAAAG AAACATCCAG TATGCCCGGA GGGATCTTGA CTGGAAAAGA 720 CTGAATCCTG GTCTGGTGAC CTTAGTTCCC TGCCCTTTCA CATCACTTGG ACATTCCCAC 780 AGAAGAGCGG TGAAGAGGCG GTGGTCCTTA TTCTCCTCTG GTTTCCACTG AGTGCAACAT 840 GTGCGTCCTG AGTACGCTGG AGGGACTCAC AAAATTTCAG CTTTCTTTAG GAGTTTCCTT 900 GCTGTAGTTT GACCCAAGTC TTCTCCAGGT TTCTGTCAGA ACCTCAGGCA TGAGGGATCT 960 GCCTCCCCTG GTTGTCACCA GAGGATAACA ATCACTGCCC CCAGAAATCC AGACAGATTC 1020 TACAACTTTT AGTCTTCGGT GTTTTGGGGG TGCCCCTTCA CGTGGAGTAG GTCGGTGGCC 1080 ACATTCCCAG GAGTGACAAT AGCCTAGCAG TGAATCCTCT CGCTTAGCTG ATGCCCCCCC 1140 ACTGTCCCCA CAGGTATCTG GCCATCCGCT ACCCGCTGCA CTCCCGAGAG TTGCGCACAC 1200 CTCGAAACGC GCTGGCCGCC ATCGGGCTCA TCTGGGGGCT AGCACTGCTC TTCTCCGGGC 1260 CCTACCTGAG CTACTACCGT CAGTCGCAGC TGGCCAACCT GACAGTATGC CACCCAGCAT 1320 GGAGCGCACC TCGACGTCGA GCCATGGACC TCTGCACCTT CGTCTTTAGC TACCTGCTGC 1380 CAGTGCTAGT CCTCAGTCTG ACCTATGCGC GTACCCTGCG CTACCTCTGG CGCACAGTCG 1440 ACCCGGTGAC TGCAGGCTCA GGTTCCCAGC GCGCCAAACG CAAGGTGACA CGGATGATCA 1500 TCATCGTGGC GGTGCTTTTC TGCCTCTGTT GGATGCCCCA CCACGCGCTT ATCCTCTGCG 1560 TGTGGTTTGG TCGCTTCCCG CTCACGCGTG CCACTTACGC GTTGCGCATC CTTTCACACC 1620 TAGTTTCCTA TGCCAACTCC TGTGTCAACC CCATCGTTTA CGCTCTGGTC TCCAAGCATT 1680 TCCGTAAAGG TTTCCGCAAA ATCTGCGCGG GCCTGCTGCG CCCTGCCCCG AGGCGAGCTT 1740 CGGGCCGAGT GAGCATCCTG GCGCCTGGGA ACCATAGTGG CAGCATGCTG GAACAGGAAT 1800 CCACAGACCT GACACAGGTG AGCGAGGCAG CCGGGCCCCT TGTCCCACCA CCCGCACTTC 1860 CCAACTGCAC AGCCTCGAGT AGAACCCTGG ATCCGGCTTG TTAAAGGACC AAAGGGCATC 1920 TAACAGCTTC TAGACAGTGT GGCCCGAGGA TCCCTGGGGG TTATGCTTGA ACGTTACAGG 1980 GTTGAGGCTA AAGACTGARG ATTGATTGTA GGGAACCTCC AGTTATTAAA CGGTGCGGAT 2040 TGCTAGAGGG TGGCATAGTC CTTCAATCCT GGCACCCGAA AAGCAGATGC AGGAGCAGGA 2100 GCAGGAGCAA AGCCAGCCAT GGAGTTTGAG GCCTGCTTGA ACTACCTGAG ATCCAATAAT 2160 AAAACATTTC ATATGCTGTG AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAA 2200 372 amino acids amino acid single linear protein 2 Met Asn Gly Ser Gly Ser Gln Gly Ala Glu Asn Thr Ser Gln Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Ser Gly Gly Trp Gln Pro Glu Ala Val Leu Val Pro Leu Phe Phe 20 25 30 Ala Leu Ile Phe Leu Val Gly Thr Val Gly Asn Ala Leu Val Leu Ala 35 40 45 Val Leu Leu Arg Gly Gly Gln Ala Val Ser Thr Thr Asn Leu Phe Ile 50 55 60 Leu Asn Leu Gly Val Ala Asp Leu Cys Phe Ile Leu Cys Cys Val Pro 65 70 75 80 Phe Gln Ala Thr Ile Tyr Thr Leu Asp Asp Trp Val Phe Gly Ser Leu 85 90 95 Leu Cys Lys Ala Val His Phe Leu Ile Phe Leu Thr Met His Ala Ser 100 105 110 Ser Phe Thr Leu Ala Ala Val Ser Leu Asp Arg Tyr Leu Ala Ile Arg 115 120 125 Tyr Pro Leu His Ser Arg Glu Leu Arg Thr Pro Arg Asn Ala Leu Ala 130 135 140 Ala Ile Gly Leu Ile Trp Gly Leu Ala Leu Leu Phe Ser Gly Pro Tyr 145 150 155 160 Leu Ser Tyr Tyr Arg Gln Ser Gln Leu Ala Asn Leu Thr Val Cys His 165 170 175 Pro Ala Trp Ser Ala Pro Arg Arg Arg Ala Met Asp Leu Cys Thr Phe 180 185 190 Val Phe Ser Tyr Leu Leu Pro Val Leu Val Leu Ser Leu Thr Tyr Ala 195 200 205 Arg Thr Leu Arg Tyr Leu Trp Arg Thr Val Asp Pro Val Thr Ala Gly 210 215 220 Ser Gly Ser Gln Arg Ala Lys Arg Lys Val Thr Arg Met Ile Ile Ile 225 230 235 240 Val Ala Val Leu Phe Cys Leu Cys Trp Met Pro His His Ala Leu Ile 245 250 255 Leu Cys Val Trp Phe Gly Arg Phe Pro Leu Thr Arg Ala Thr Tyr Ala 260 265 270 Leu Arg Ile Leu Ser His Leu Val Ser Tyr Ala Asn Ser Cys Val Asn 275 280 285 Pro Ile Val Tyr Ala Leu Val Ser Lys His Phe Arg Lys Gly Phe Arg 290 295 300 Lys Ile Cys Ala Gly Leu Leu Arg Pro Ala Pro Arg Arg Ala Ser Gly 305 310 315 320 Arg Val Ser Ile Leu Ala Pro Gly Asn His Ser Gly Ser Met Leu Glu 325 330 335 Gln Glu Ser Thr Asp Leu Thr Gln Val Ser Glu Ala Ala Gly Pro Leu 340 345 350 Val Pro Pro Pro Ala Leu Pro Asn Cys Thr Ala Ser Ser Arg Thr Leu 355 360 365 Asp Pro Ala Cys 370 346 amino acids amino acid single linear protein 3 Met Glu Leu Ala Pro Val Asn Leu Ser Glu Gly Asn Gly Ser Asp Pro 1 5 10 15 Glu Pro Pro Ala Glu Pro Arg Pro Leu Phe Gly Ile Gly Val Glu Asn 20 25 30 Phe Ile Thr Leu Val Val Phe Gly Leu Ile Phe Ala Met Gly Val Leu 35 40 45 Gly Asn Ser Leu Val Ile Thr Val Leu Ala Arg Ser Lys Pro Gly Lys 50 55 60 Pro Arg Ser Thr Thr Asn Leu Phe Ile Leu Asn Leu Ser Ile Ala Asp 65 70 75 80 Leu Ala Tyr Leu Leu Phe Cys Ile Pro Phe Gln Ala Thr Val Tyr Ala 85 90 95 Leu Pro Thr Trp Val Leu Gly Ala Phe Ile Cys Lys Phe Ile His Tyr 100 105 110 Phe Phe Thr Val Ser Met Leu Val Ser Ile Phe Thr Leu Ala Ala Met 115 120 125 Ser Val Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Val His Ser Arg Arg Ser Ser Ser 130 135 140 Leu Arg Val Ser Arg Asn Ala Leu Leu Gly Val Gly Phe Ile Trp Ala 145 150 155 160 Leu Ser Ile Ala Met Ala Ser Pro Val Ala Tyr Tyr Gln Arg Leu Phe 165 170 175 His Arg Asp Ser Asn Gln Thr Phe Cys Trp Glu His Trp Pro Asn Gln 180 185 190 Leu His Lys Lys Ala Tyr Val Val Cys Thr Phe Val Phe Gly Tyr Leu 195 200 205 Leu Pro Leu Leu Leu Ile Cys Phe Cys Tyr Ala Lys Val Leu Asn His 210 215 220 Leu His Lys Lys Leu Lys Asn Met Ser Lys Lys Ser Glu Ala Ser Lys 225 230 235 240 Lys Lys Thr Ala Gln Thr Val Leu Val Val Val Val Val Phe Gly Ile 245 250 255 Ser Trp Leu Pro His His Val Ile His Leu Trp Ala Glu Phe Gly Ala 260 265 270 Phe Pro Leu Thr Pro Ala Ser Phe Phe Phe Arg Ile Thr Ala His Cys 275 280 285 Leu Ala Tyr Ser Asn Ser Ser Val Asn Pro Ile Ile Tyr Ala Phe Leu 290 295 300 Ser Glu Asn Phe Arg Lys Ala Tyr Lys Gln Val Phe Lys Cys Arg Val 305 310 315 320 Cys Asn Glu Ser Pro His Gly Asp Ala Lys Glu Lys Asn Arg Ile Asp 325 330 335 Thr Pro Pro Ser Thr Asn Cys Thr His Val 340 345 283 base pairs nucleic acid single linear Other Other 1...283 cDNA probe 4 TGCGGACCAC CACCAACTTG TACCTGGGCA GCATGGCCGT GTCCGACCTA CTCATCCTGC 60 TCGGGCTGCC GTTCGACCTG TACCGCCTCT GGCGCTCGCG GCCCTGGGTG TTCGGGCCGC 120 TGCTCTGCCG CCTGTCCCTC TACGTGGGCG AGGGCTGCAC CTACGCCACG CTGCTGCACA 180 TGACCGCGCT CAGCGTCGAG CGCTACCTGG CCATCTGCCG CCCGCTCCGC GCCCGCGTCT 240 TGGTCACCCG GCGCCGCGTC CGCGCGCTCA TCGCTGTGCT CTG 283 3390 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA Other 63...63 N = A, C, T or G 5 GAGCTCGGAA GCAGGTACAA GCGCCACTCT CCGCCTGCGC CGTGGAATGC GCGCCGGGAC 60 CANTCCGCAG CCCTTCCCCC AGCGCCGCCG GCCGCTGCTG GGGACAACCT CGCCCTCCTG 120 TNTCTTGCTC CTCCTCCTGA CCCCAGCGCA CCCCCATCCC CGCCCCAGAT GAGGCAAGGC 180 TCCCTCCGCC TTCAGCCCGG CAGAGTCGCA CTAGGAGTTG CAGCGGCCGC AGCCCCGGGA 240 GCTTCCCGCT CGCGGAGACC CAGACGGCTG CAGGAGCCCG GGCAGCCTCG GGGTCAGCGG 300 CACCATGAAC GTCTCGGGCT GCCCAGGGGC CGGGAACGCG AGCCAGGCGG GCGGCGGGGG 360 AGGCTGGCAC CCCGAGGCGG TCATCGTGCC CCTGCTCTTC GCGCTCATCT TCCTCGTGGG 420 CACCGTGGGC AACACGCTGG TGCTGGCGGT GCTGCTGCGC GGCGGCCAGG CGGTCAGCAC 480 TACCAACCTG TTCATCCTTA ACCTGGGCGT GGCCGACCTG TGTTTCATCC TGTGCTGCGT 540 GCCCTTCCAG GCCACCATCT ACACCCTGGA CGGCTGGGTG TTCGGCTCGC TGCTGTGCAA 600 GGCGGTGCAC TTCCTCATCT TCCTCACCAT GCACGCCAGC AGCTTCACGC TGGCCGCCGT 660 CTCCCTGGAC AGGTGAGCCA GCGCCTTGGC CTCCCTGGGA GATGGGCATC CACGCGGGGG 720 ATGGAGCGGG AGGCGGGACT GGGGACCAAG AAGGGACGCG CAGAGTGGGA CAGGACACTA 780 AGAAGGCAGT GGAAGACAAG CGGGCGCGGA GGAGGAAAAA GAGGAATAAG AATGGGGGAC 840 CGTGGTGTCC CTCGGTTAGA TGCGTCCTGG GGCCTGGAAG CCTGGAGAAT GTGGCTCTCC 900 AGCGCCGCCC GTGCCTGACA ACGCGCAGCG TTTCCCAGTA CGACGCGTTT GTGCGCGTTC 960 ATCTCGCTTG AGCTTAATGC CCTCCGTGAG GGTGGGATAG GACAAAGTGC CCAATATACA 1020 GAAGAGTTGA GTTCCTAAGT AACTCGCTCA GAGTCGCCAG CCAAGGGATC GGGTGCGTTG 1080 AAGTGACCGT CTGTCTCCTG CAGCCAACTT CAGGCGCCTC CACTGCGCTC GCCTCCAAGC 1140 CACGGTTTGG TTGGTTGGTG CAGCTGGCTC AGGTCCAGGC TGTGGATCTT GGGTCCTTTG 1200 CAAGGATCCA CTCCGGAGTC CCAGCGAGCG TGCCTAAAGG TCCCTAGCTC AGTCCCAGCC 1260 CACTCTGCCT CTCGCCTCCA AACAAAACAA AAACAAAATA AAATCCAAAA CAAGTGGGGC 1320 GGGAGAGGAA GCGTTGCCCT GGGGTTCTTC CTCCCAGCCA GAGGAGAGCG AAGAGACGCA 1380 CATTCGGGAG AGCCGCCGGG ACTCAGGTGG AGCTTGAAAG GACACTGGGA TGGTTTCCCT 1440 GGGGAGGAAA TCCGGGTATT TCCCCTCTCC ATCCTCTGGA AAAACAGAGA GGCGAGGCCA 1500 GACTGCCCCC ACACCTCCTG TAGCCACTGA GCGCGAAGTG CGTTGGTTCC GAGCGCGCTG 1560 GTGGGATCCA CAAAGCTCGC ATTCTCTCAG GAATCCCCTG AGAAATTAAC TGTCCCTTGC 1620 CCAACATGTC TTCTCCAGGC TGTCTGCTAG AGCCTCAGGC GCCTCCGCCC TCCCTCCCGC 1680 GGCACCGTCA CCAGTGGGTA GTCACAGCCT CCCGGAGCCC ATAGCCGGTT CTCCAACCTT 1740 TAGTCTTCAG TGGCTTTGGG GTGCCCTCTC AGTGGAGACT GTGGTTGCAG TCCCCGGGGG 1800 CAGCGGGAGA ATGGCTTGAA GGCACACCTT TCCTGCTGCC GGCCCGCCCC ATTTCCAGCG 1860 TCCGCTGAGT GTCTGGGACA CGCTGGGAGG CCCCCACCTC CGCCCTCACG CCGAGCCTCA 1920 CCCCCACCTC CTCTGTGTGC GGTGTAACCA TGCGCTAAGG ACCTTCCTTG AGAGCAGCCT 1980 TGGGACCGAG GTGCAGGGGT CGCGGCCCTC CAGCATGAAT GTGCCCGCTC AGCCGACGTC 2040 TCCCTTCCCG GTCTGACCGC AGGTATCTGG CCATCCGCTA CCCGCTGCAC TCCCGCGAGC 2100 TGCGCACGCC TCGAAACGCG CTGGCAGCCA TCGGGCTCAT CTGGGGGCTG TCGCTGCTCT 2160 TCTCCGGGCC CTACCTGAGC TACTACCGCC AGTCGCAGCT GGCCAACCTG ACCGTGTGCC 2220 ATCCCGCGTG GAGCGCCCCT CGCCGCCGCG CCATGGACAT CTGCACCTTC GTCTTCAGCT 2280 ACCTGCTTCC TGTGCTGGTT CTCGGCCTGA CCTACGCGCG CACCTTGCGC TACCTCTGGC 2340 GCGCCGTCGA CCCGGTGGCC GCGGGCTCGG GTGCCCGGCG CGCCAAGCGC AAGGTGACAC 2400 GCATGATCCT CATCGTGGCC GCGCTCTTCT GCCTCTGCTG GATGCCCCAC CACGCGCTCA 2460 TCCTCTGCGT GTGGTTCGGC CAGTTCCCGC TCACGCGCGC CACTTATGCG CTTCGCATCC 2520 TCTCGCACCT GGTCTCCTAC GCCAACTCCT GCGTCAACCC CATCGTTTAC GCGCTGGTCT 2580 CCAAGCACTT CCGCAAAGGC TTCCGCACGA TCTGCGCGGG CCTGCTGGGC CGTGCCCCAG 2640 GCCGAGCCTC GGGCCGTGTG TGCGCTGCCG CGCGGGGCAC CCACAGTGGC AGCGTGTTGG 2700 AGCGCGAGTC CAGCGACCTG TTGCACATGA GCGAGGCGGC GGGGGCCCTT CGTCCCTGCC 2760 CCGGCGCTTC CCAGCCATGC ATCCTCGAGC CCTGTCCTGG CCCGTCCTGG CAGGGCCCAA 2820 AGGCAGGCGA CAGCATCCTG ACGGTTGATG TGGCCTGAAA GCACTTAGCG GGCGCGCTGG 2880 GATGTCACAG AGTTGGAGTC ATTGTTGGGG GACCGTGGGG AGAGCTTTGC CTGTTAATAA 2940 AACGCACAAA CCATTTCACA CACAGTGACA GCGCTGTTTC GCGTTTCTCA TTGTCTTGAG 3000 ATTCTGGGAG GAAGCCTCTG GGGCTTCACA GAGGGGCTCC CTAGGGGTAA GTGCAGGACC 3060 CTTTGCAGAG CTACCAGGAA AGAGGGCTGA TCACACCTCA GGCAGCCGGG TTACAATCCG 3120 CATAAAAATC TGAGTCTGGG GAGCGTGCGA CAGAGGCAGG CAGATTGTTT AAGGCGTTCG 3180 ATAAAGTCGG TTGATGACAG ACACAGATGT GTGTTCCCAG CCGCATTTGT GCTCTGGTGT 3240 GTGACAGGTC TGTCCTTGCC TGCTTTCAGC TCCCAGGGCC CCTTTGAGTC TGGGCAGCCC 3300 AGTCAGTCCC CGTCCATTTT TGGCCTTAGC TTTTCCTTCC CTGGCTACAT CTGGGCCAGG 3360 ATCAAGTCTC CAGCAGCTGT TTCACTCCCC 3390 1164 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 6 ATGAACGTCT CGGGCTGCCC AGGGGCCGGG AACGCGAGCC AGGCGGGCGG CGGGGGAGGC 60 TGGCACCCCG AGGCGGTCAT CGTGCCCCTG CTCTTCGCGC TCATCTTCCT CGTGGGCACC 120 GTGGGCAACA CGCTGGTGCT GGCGGTGCTG CTGCGCGGCG GCCAGGCGGT CAGCACTACC 180 AACCTGTTCA TCCTTAACCT GGGCGTGGCC GACCTGTGTT TCATCCTGTG CTGCGTGCCC 240 TTCCAGGCCA CCATCTACAC CCTGGACGGC TGGGTGTTCG GCTCGCTGCT GTGCAAGGCG 300 GTGCACTTCC TCATCTTCCT CACCATGCAC GCCAGCAGCT TCACGCTGGC CGCCGTCTCC 360 CTGGACAGGT ATCTGGCCAT CCGCTACCCG CTGCACTCCC GCGAGCTGCG CACGCCTCGA 420 AACGCGCTGG CAGCCATCGG GCTCATCTGG GGGCTGTCGC TGCTCTTCTC CGGGCCCTAC 480 CTGAGCTACT ACCGCCAGTC GCAGCTGGCC AACCTGACCG TGTGCCATCC CGCGTGGAGC 540 GCCCCTCGCC GCCGCGCCAT GGACATCTGC ACCTTCGTCT TCAGCTACCT GCTTCCTGTG 600 CTGGTTCTCG GCCTGACCTA CGCGCGCACC TTGCGCTACC TCTGGCGCGC CGTCGACCCG 660 GTGGCCGCGG GCTCGGGTGC CCGGCGCGCC AAGCGCAAGG TGACACGCAT GATCCTCATC 720 GTGGCCGCGC TCTTCTGCCT CTGCTGGATG CCCCACCACG CGCTCATCCT CTGCGTGTGG 780 TTCGGCCAGT TCCCGCTCAC GCGCGCCACT TATGCGCTTC GCATCCTCTC GCACCTGGTC 840 TCCTACGCCA ACTCCTGCGT CAACCCCATC GTTTACGCGC TGGTCTCCAA GCACTTCCGC 900 AAAGGCTTCC GCACGATCTG CGCGGGCCTG CTGGGCCGTG CCCCAGGCCG AGCCTCGGGC 960 CGTGTGTGCG CTGCCGCGCG GGGCACCCAC AGTGGCAGCG TGTTGGAGCG CGAGTCCAGC 1020 GACCTGTTGC ACATGAGCGA GGCGGCGGGG GCCCTTCGTC CCTGCCCCGG CGCTTCCCAG 1080 CCATGCATCC TCGAGCCCTG TCCTGGCCCG TCCTGGCAGG GCCCAAAGGC AGGCGACAGC 1140 ATCCTGACGG TTGATGTGGC CTGA 1164 387 amino acids amino acid single linear protein 7 Met Asn Val Ser Gly Cys Pro Gly Ala Gly Asn Ala Ser Gln Ala Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Gly Gly Gly Trp His Pro Glu Ala Val Ile Val Pro Leu Leu Phe 20 25 30 Ala Leu Ile Phe Leu Val Gly Thr Val Gly Asn Thr Leu Val Leu Ala 35 40 45 Val Leu Leu Arg Gly Gly Gln Ala Val Ser Thr Thr Asn Leu Phe Ile 50 55 60 Leu Asn Leu Gly Val Ala Asp Leu Cys Phe Ile Leu Cys Cys Val Pro 65 70 75 80 Phe Gln Ala Thr Ile Tyr Thr Leu Asp Gly Trp Val Phe Gly Ser Leu 85 90 95 Leu Cys Lys Ala Val His Phe Leu Ile Phe Leu Thr Met His Ala Ser 100 105 110 Ser Phe Thr Leu Ala Ala Val Ser Leu Asp Arg Tyr Leu Ala Ile Arg 115 120 125 Tyr Pro Leu His Ser Arg Glu Leu Arg Thr Pro Arg Asn Ala Leu Ala 130 135 140 Ala Ile Gly Leu Ile Trp Gly Leu Ser Leu Leu Phe Ser Gly Pro Tyr 145 150 155 160 Leu Ser Tyr Tyr Arg Gln Ser Gln Leu Ala Asn Leu Thr Val Cys His 165 170 175 Pro Ala Trp Ser Ala Pro Arg Arg Arg Ala Met Asp Ile Cys Thr Phe 180 185 190 Val Phe Ser Tyr Leu Leu Pro Val Leu Val Leu Gly Leu Thr Tyr Ala 195 200 205 Arg Thr Leu Arg Tyr Leu Trp Arg Ala Val Asp Pro Val Ala Ala Gly 210 215 220 Ser Gly Ala Arg Arg Ala Lys Arg Lys Val Thr Arg Met Ile Leu Ile 225 230 235 240 Val Ala Ala Leu Phe Cys Leu Cys Trp Met Pro His His Ala Leu Ile 245 250 255 Leu Cys Val Trp Phe Gly Gln Phe Pro Leu Thr Arg Ala Thr Tyr Ala 260 265 270 Leu Arg Ile Leu Ser His Leu Val Ser Tyr Ala Asn Ser Cys Val Asn 275 280 285 Pro Ile Val Tyr Ala Leu Val Ser Lys His Phe Arg Lys Gly Phe Arg 290 295 300 Thr Ile Cys Ala Gly Leu Leu Gly Arg Ala Pro Gly Arg Ala Ser Gly 305 310 315 320 Arg Val Cys Ala Ala Ala Arg Gly Thr His Ser Gly Ser Val Leu Glu 325 330 335 Arg Glu Ser Ser Asp Leu Leu His Met Ser Glu Ala Ala Gly Ala Leu 340 345 350 Arg Pro Cys Pro Gly Ala Ser Gln Pro Cys Ile Leu Glu Pro Cys Pro 355 360 365 Gly Pro Ser Trp Gln Gly Pro Lys Ala Gly Asp Ser Ile Leu Thr Val 370 375 380 Asp Val Ala 385 2234 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 8 GCCCTTTCCA CTTTGGTGAT ACCATGAATG GCTCGGACAG CCAGGGGGCG GAGGACTCGA 60 GCCAGGAAGG TGGCGGCGGC TGGCAGCCCG AGGCGGTCCT CGTACCCCTA TTTTTCGCGC 120 TCATCTTCCT CGTGGGCGCT GTGGGCAACG CGCTGGTGCT GGCGGTGCTG CTGCGCGGCG 180 GCCAGGCGGT CAGCACCACG AACCTATTCA TCCTCAACCT GGGTGTGGCC GACCTGTGTT 240 TCATCCTGTG CTGCGTGCCT TTCCAGGCCA CCATCTATAC CCTGGACGAT TGGGTGTTTG 300 GCTCACTGCT CTGCAAGGCC GTTCATTTCC TCATCTTCCT CACTATGCAC GCCAGCAGCT 360 TCACGCTGGC CGCTGTCTCG CTGGACAGGT GAGTGAACAT TCTGTGGTGT CTGAGAACTG 420 GGTACCCAGG TAGGAGCTTG CACTGGAGTC GCCACGCAAG GATCCAGAAG GGATGCGTAG 480 TCGGGGAGAA CACTAAAATT ACAAAGTGGC CCGAGGCCGT GAAACGCAAG GGGAAAGGGG 540 ACTAAGACTC CGTGACTAAG AGTGTCCCTT GATTAAGTCG GTCCTCAGAC CTCGAAGGCT 600 GGAGAAATCG GATTTCTGGG GTCTTTACGT TATTGTTGCT TGAGCTAAAA GTCTCTCAGA 660 AACATTGCAG TACTCAGACC AGAGTTGGCT TGCAAAGTAA CTTGCCAGTA TTCAAATGCT 720 AATTGAGAGC TGCAGAGAGG CATTTGCTTC TTGGCCCCAA GCTCAGCACC TGGAGCGTTG 780 TCCGGCTTTA GGCTTAGGAC TGAGCTGTAC TTTGGATAGA CCCATGCTGA AGTCCAAGGC 840 AGCGGGAGTG AGGGCTCCTA GCGGACGTCT AAAGCCTTCC AGGCCAAGGC TCCCCGCCCG 900 GAGACGCCTG CGGTTTGATG TTCCTTCCCT AGCTAAAGGA CCCAGAAAGA GAAACTTCCA 960 GAATGCTCTG AAGGACTCGT GACTGGAAAA GACACTAGAA ACAGGTCCTG GGAAGGATGT 1020 CATTAGTTCC CTGCCCCTTC GCATCACTTG GCCCTTCCCA CAGTAGAGCG GTGAAGAGAG 1080 GCGGAGATCC TCATTCTCTG CTTTCCACTG AGTGCAACAT GTGGGTTCTG AGTCCGCTGG 1140 TGGGACGCAC AAAACTTCAG CTTTCTTCAG GGATTTCCTT GCTCTACCCA AGTCTTCTCC 1200 GGGTTGTCTG TCAGAGAGCC TCAGGCATTA GAGATTTGTC TCCCTCGGTT GTCACAAGAG 1260 GATAATAATC ACTGCCCCCA GAAGTCCTGG CATATTCTAC AACTTTTAGT TTTCGGTGGT 1320 TTGGGGATGC CCTTTCGCGT GGTAGGTCAG TGGCCACATT CTCAGGGTTG GTAATGGTCT 1380 AGCAGTGAAT TAGTGAATCC TTTCGCTTAC CTGTCGTCGT CGTCCCCCCC GCCCCACTGT 1440 CCACTCAGGT ATCTGGCCAT CCGCTACCCG ATGCACTCCC GAGAGTTGCG CACACCTCGA 1500 AACGCGCTGG CGGCCATCGG GCTCATCTGG GGGCTAGCAC TGCTCTTCTC CGGGCCCTAC 1560 CTGAGCTACT ACAGTCAGTC GCAGCTGGCC AATCTGACGG TGTGCCACCC AGCGTGGAGC 1620 GCACCACGAC GTCGCGCCAT GGACCTCTGC ACTTTTGTCT TTAGCTACCT GTTGCCAGTG 1680 CTGGTGCTCA GCCTGACCTA TGCGCGCACC CTGCACTACC TCTGGCGCAC AGTTGACCCA 1740 GTAGCTGCAG GCTCAGGTTC CCAGCGCGCC AAGCGCAAGG TGACACGGAT GATCGTCATC 1800 GTGGCGGTAC TCTTCTGCCT CTGTTGGATG CCCCACCACG CGCTTATCCT CTGCGTGTGG 1860 TTTGGTCGCT TTCCGCTCAC GCGTGCCACT TACGCCCTGC GCATCCTTTC ACATCTAGTA 1920 TCTTATGCCA ACTCGTGTGT CAACCCCATC GTTTATGCTC TGGTCTCCAA GCATTTCCGC 1980 AAAGGTTTCC GCAAAATCTG CGCGGGCCTG CTACGCCGTG CCCCGAGGAG AGCTTCAGGC 2040 CGAGTGTGCA TCCTGGCGCC TGGAAACCAT AGTGGTGGCA TGCTGGAACC TGAGTCCACA 2100 GACCTGACAC AGGTGAGCGA GGCAGCCGGG CCCCTCGTCC CCGCACCCGC ACTTCCCAAC 2160 TGCACAACCT TGAGTAGAAC CCTCGATCCA GCCTGTTAAA GGACCAAAGG GCATCTAACA 2220 GCTTCTAAGG GCGA 2234 371 amino acids amino acid single linear protein 9 Met Asn Gly Ser Asp Ser Gln Gly Ala Glu Asp Ser Ser Gln Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Gly Gly Trp Gln Pro Glu Ala Val Leu Val Pro Leu Phe Phe Ala 20 25 30 Leu Ile Phe Leu Val Gly Ala Val Gly Asn Ala Leu Val Leu Ala Val 35 40 45 Leu Leu Arg Gly Gly Gln Ala Val Ser Thr Thr Asn Leu Phe Ile Leu 50 55 60 Asn Leu Gly Val Ala Asp Leu Cys Phe Ile Leu Cys Cys Val Pro Phe 65 70 75 80 Gln Ala Thr Ile Tyr Thr Leu Asp Asp Trp Val Phe Gly Ser Leu Leu 85 90 95 Cys Lys Ala Val His Phe Leu Ile Phe Leu Thr Met His Ala Ser Ser 100 105 110 Phe Thr Leu Ala Ala Val Ser Leu Asp Arg Tyr Leu Ala Ile Arg Tyr 115 120 125 Pro Met His Ser Arg Glu Leu Arg Thr Pro Arg Asn Ala Leu Ala Ala 130 135 140 Ile Gly Leu Ile Trp Gly Leu Ala Leu Leu Phe Ser Gly Pro Tyr Leu 145 150 155 160 Ser Tyr Tyr Ser Gln Ser Gln Leu Ala Asn Leu Thr Val Cys His Pro 165 170 175 Ala Trp Ser Ala Pro Arg Arg Arg Ala Met Asp Leu Cys Thr Phe Val 180 185 190 Phe Ser Tyr Leu Leu Pro Val Leu Val Leu Ser Leu Thr Tyr Ala Arg 195 200 205 Thr Leu His Tyr Leu Trp Arg Thr Val Asp Pro Val Ala Ala Gly Ser 210 215 220 Gly Ser Gln Arg Ala Lys Arg Lys Val Thr Arg Met Ile Val Ile Val 225 230 235 240 Ala Val Leu Phe Cys Leu Cys Trp Met Pro His His Ala Leu Ile Leu 245 250 255 Cys Val Trp Phe Gly Arg Phe Pro Leu Thr Arg Ala Thr Tyr Ala Leu 260 265 270 Arg Ile Leu Ser His Leu Val Ser Tyr Ala Asn Ser Cys Val Asn Pro 275 280 285 Ile Val Tyr Ala Leu Val Ser Lys His Phe Arg Lys Gly Phe Arg Lys 290 295 300 Ile Cys Ala Gly Leu Leu Arg Arg Ala Pro Arg Arg Ala Ser Gly Arg 305 310 315 320 Val Cys Ile Leu Ala Pro Gly Asn His Ser Gly Gly Met Leu Glu Pro 325 330 335 Glu Ser Thr Asp Leu Thr Gln Val Ser Glu Ala Ala Gly Pro Leu Val 340 345 350 Pro Ala Pro Ala Leu Pro Asn Cys Thr Thr Leu Ser Arg Thr Leu Asp 355 360 365 Pro Ala Cys 370 348 amino acids amino acid single linear protein 10 Met Glu Leu Ala Met Val Asn Leu Ser Glu Gly Asn Gly Ser Asp Pro 1 5 10 15 Glu Pro Pro Ala Pro Glu Ser Arg Pro Leu Phe Gly Ile Gly Val Glu 20 25 30 Asn Phe Ile Thr Leu Val Val Phe Gly Leu Ile Phe Ala Met Gly Val 35 40 45 Leu Gly Asn Ser Leu Val Ile Thr Val Leu Ala Arg Ser Lys Pro Gly 50 55 60 Lys Pro Arg Ser Thr Thr Asn Leu Phe Ile Leu Asn Leu Ser Ile Ala 65 70 75 80 Asp Leu Ala Tyr Leu Leu Phe Cys Ile Pro Phe Gln Ala Thr Val Tyr 85 90 95 Ala Leu Pro Thr Trp Val Leu Gly Ala Phe Ile Cys Lys Phe Ile His 100 105 110 Tyr Phe Phe Thr Val Ser Met Leu Val Ser Ile Phe Thr Leu Ala Ala 115 120 125 Met Ser Val Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Val His Ser Arg Arg Ser Ser 130 135 140 Ser Leu Arg Val Ser Arg Asn Ala Leu Leu Gly Val Gly Phe Ile Trp 145 150 155 160 Ala Leu Ser Ile Ala Met Ala Ser Pro Val Ala Tyr His Gln Arg Leu 165 170 175 Phe His Arg Asp Ser Asn Gln Thr Phe Cys Trp Glu Gln Trp Pro Asn 180 185 190 Lys Leu His Lys Lys Ala Tyr Val Val Cys Thr Phe Val Phe Gly Tyr 195 200 205 Leu Leu Pro Leu Leu Leu Ile Cys Phe Cys Tyr Ala Lys Val Leu Asn 210 215 220 His Leu His Lys Lys Leu Lys Asn Met Ser Lys Lys Ser Glu Ala Ser 225 230 235 240 Lys Lys Lys Thr Ala Gln Thr Val Leu Val Val Val Val Val Phe Gly 245 250 255 Ile Ser Trp Leu Pro His His Val Val His Leu Trp Ala Glu Phe Gly 260 265 270 Ala Phe Pro Leu Thr Pro Ala Ser Phe Phe Phe Arg Ile Thr Ala His 275 280 285 Cys Leu Ala Tyr Ser Asn Ser Ser Val Asn Pro Ile Ile Tyr Ala Phe 290 295 300 Leu Ser Glu Asn Phe Arg Lys Ala Tyr Lys Gln Val Phe Lys Cys His 305 310 315 320 Val Cys Asp Glu Ser Pro Arg Ser Glu Thr Lys Glu Asn Lys Ser Arg 325 330 335 Met Asp Thr Pro Pro Ser Thr Asn Cys Thr His Val 340 345 349 amino acids amino acid single linear protein 11 Met Glu Leu Ala Val Gly Asn Leu Ser Glu Gly Asn Ala Ser Cys Pro 1 5 10 15 Glu Pro Pro Ala Pro Glu Pro Gly Pro Leu Phe Gly Ile Gly Val Glu 20 25 30 Asn Phe Val Thr Leu Val Val Phe Gly Leu Ile Phe Ala Leu Gly Val 35 40 45 Leu Gly Asn Ser Leu Val Ile Thr Val Leu Ala Arg Ser Lys Pro Gly 50 55 60 Lys Pro Arg Ser Thr Thr Asn Leu Phe Ile Leu Asn Leu Ser Ile Ala 65 70 75 80 Asp Leu Ala Tyr Leu Leu Phe Cys Ile Pro Phe Gln Ala Thr Val Tyr 85 90 95 Ala Leu Pro Thr Trp Val Leu Gly Ala Phe Ile Cys Lys Phe Ile His 100 105 110 Tyr Phe Phe Thr Val Ser Met Leu Val Ser Ile Phe Thr Leu Ala Ala 115 120 125 Met Ser Val Asp Arg Tyr Val Ala Ile Val His Ser Arg Arg Ser Ser 130 135 140 Ser Leu Arg Val Ser Arg Asn Ala Leu Leu Gly Val Gly Cys Ile Trp 145 150 155 160 Ala Leu Ser Ile Ala Met Ala Ser Pro Val Ala Tyr His Gln Gly Leu 165 170 175 Phe His Pro Arg Ala Ser Asn Gln Thr Phe Cys Trp Glu Gln Trp Pro 180 185 190 Asp Pro Arg His Lys Lys Ala Tyr Val Val Cys Thr Phe Val Phe Gly 195 200 205 Tyr Leu Leu Pro Leu Leu Leu Ile Cys Phe Cys Tyr Ala Lys Val Leu 210 215 220 Asn His Leu His Lys Lys Leu Lys Asn Met Ser Lys Lys Ser Glu Ala 225 230 235 240 Ser Lys Lys Lys Thr Ala Gln Thr Val Leu Val Val Val Val Val Phe 245 250 255 Gly Ile Ser Trp Leu Pro His His Ile Ile His Leu Trp Ala Glu Phe 260 265 270 Gly Val Phe Pro Leu Thr Pro Ala Ser Phe Leu Phe Arg Ile Thr Ala 275 280 285 His Cys Leu Ala Tyr Ser Asn Ser Ser Val Asn Pro Ile Ile Tyr Ala 290 295 300 Phe Leu Ser Glu Asn Phe Arg Lys Ala Tyr Lys Gln Val Phe Lys Cys 305 310 315 320 His Ile Arg Lys Asp Ser His Leu Ser Asp Thr Lys Glu Asn Lys Ser 325 330 335 Arg Ile Asp Thr Pro Pro Ser Thr Asn Cys Thr His Val 340 345 35 base pairs nucleic acid single linear Other Other 1...35 PCR primer 12 CCGGAATTCG GTACCATGAA CGTCTCGGGC TGCCC 35 41 base pairs nucleic acid single linear Other Other 1...41 PCR primer 13 GGTAGCGGAT GGCCAGATAC CTGTCTAGAG AGACGGCGGC C 41 41 base pairs nucleic acid single linear Other Other 1...41 PCR primer 14 GGCCGCCGTC TCTCTAGACA GGTATCTGGC CATCCGCTAC C 41 41 base pairs nucleic acid single linear Other Other 1...41 PCR primer 15 GGCCGCCGTC TCTCTAGACA GGTATCTGGC CATCCGCTAC C 41 27 base pairs nucleic acid single linear Other Other 1...27 PCR primer 16 CTGACCGYCA TGRSCATTGA CSGCTAC 27 24 base pairs nucleic acid single linear Other Other 1...24 PCR primer 17 GGGGTTGRSG CAGCTGTTGG CRTA 24 1116 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 18 ATGAATGGCT CCGGCAGCCA GGGCGCGGAG AACACGAGCC AGGAAGGCGG TAGCGGCGGC 60 TGGCAGCCTG AGGCGGTCCT TGTACCCCTA TTTTTCGCGC TCATCTTCCT CGTGGGCACC 120 GTGGGCAACG CGCTGGTGCT GGCGGTGCTG CTGCGCGGCG GCCAGGCGGT CAGCACCACC 180 AACCTGTTCA TCCTCAACCT GGGCGTGGCC GACCTGTGTT TCATCCTGTG CTGCGTGCCT 240 TTCCAGGCCA CCATCTACAC CCTGGACGAC TGGGTGTTCG GCTCGCTGCT CTGCAAGGCT 300 GTTCATTTCC TCATCTTTCT CACTATGCAC GCCAGCAGCT TCACGCTGGC CGCCGTCTCC 360 CTGGACAGGT ATCTGGCCAT CCGCTACCCG CTGCACTCCC GAGAGTTGCG CACACCTCGA 420 AACGCGCTGG CCGCCATCGG GCTCATCTGG GGGCTAGCAC TGCTCTTCTC CGGGCCCTAC 480 CTGAGCTACT ACCGTCAGTC GCAGCTGGCC AACCTGACAG TATGCCACCC AGCATGGAGC 540 GCACCTCGAC GTCGAGCCAT GGACCTCTGC ACCTTCGTCT TTAGCTACCT GCTGCCAGTG 600 CTAGTCCTCA GTCTGACCTA TGCGCGTACC CTGCGCTACC TCTGGCGCAC AGTCGACCCG 660 GTGACTGCAG GCTCAGGTTC CCAGCGCGCC AAACGCAAGG TGACACGGAT GATCATCATC 720 GTGGCGGTGC TTTTCTGCCT CTGTTGGATG CCCCACCACG CGCTTATCCT CTGCGTGTGG 780 TTTGGTCGCT TCCCGCTCAC GCGTGCCACT TACGCGTTGC GCATCCTTTC ACACCTAGTT 840 TCCTATGCCA ACTCCTGTGT CAACCCCATC GTTTACGCTC TGGTCTCCAA GCATTTCCGT 900 AAAGGTTTCC GCAAAATCTG CGCGGGCCTG CTGCGCCCTG CCCCGAGGCG AGCTTCGGGC 960 CGAGTGAGCA TCCTGGCGCC TGGGAACCAT AGTGGCAGCA TGCTGGAACA GGAATCCACA 1020 GACCTGACAC AGGTGAGCGA GGCAGCCGGG CCCCTTGTCC CACCACCCGC ACTTCCCAAC 1080 TGCACAGCCT CGAGTAGAAC CCTGGATCCG GCTTGT 1116 1116 base pairs nucleic acid single linear cDNA 19 ATGAATGGCT CCGGCAGCCA GGGCGCGGAG AACACGAGCC AGGAAGGCGG TAGCGGCGGC 60 TGGCAGCCTG AGGCGGTCCT TGTACCCCTA TTTTTCGCGC TCATCTTCTT CGTGGGCACC 120 GTGGGCAACG CGCTGGTGCT GGCGGTGCTG CTGCGCGGCG GCCAGGCGGT CAGCACCACC 180 AACCTGTTCA TCCTCAACCT GGGCGTGGCC GACCTGTGTT TCATCCTGTG CTGCGTGCCT 240 TTCCAGGCCA CCATCTACAC CCTGGACGAC TGGGTGTTCG GCTCGCTGCT CTGCAAGGCT 300 GTTCATTTCC TCATCTTTCT CACTATGCAC GCCAGCAGCT TCACGCTGGC CGCCGTCTCC 360 CTGGACAGGT ATCTGGCCAT CCGCTACCCG CTGCACTCCC GAGAGTTGCG CACACCTCGA 420 AACGCGCTGG CCGCCATCGG GCTCATCTGG GGGCTAGCAC TGCTCTTCTC CGGGCCCTAC 480 CTGAGCTACT ACCGTCAGTC GCAGCTGGCC AACCTGACAG TATGCCACCC AGCATGGAGC 540 GCACCTCGAC GTCGAGCCAT GGACCTCTGC ACCTTCGTCT TTAGCTACCT GCTGCCAGTG 600 CTAGTCCTCA GTCTGACCTA TGCGCGTACC CTGCGCTACC TCTGGCGCAC AGTCGACCCG 660 GTGACTGCAG GCTCAGGTTC CCAGCGCGCC AAACGCAAGG TGACACGGAT GATCATCATC 720 GTGGCGGTGC TTTTCTGCCT CTGTTGGATG CCCCACCACG CGCTTATCCT CTGCGTGTGG 780 TTTGGTCGCT TCCCGCTCAC GCGTGCCACT TACGCGTTGC GCATCCTTTC ACACCTAGTT 840 TCCTATGCCA ACTCCTGTGT CAACCCCATC GTTTACGCTC TGGTCTCCAA GCATTTCCGT 900 AAAGGTTTCC GCAAAATCTG CGCGGGCCTG CTGCGCCCTG CCCCGAGGCG AGCTTCGGGC 960 CGAGTGAGCA TCCTGGCGCC TGGGAACCAT AGTGGCAGCA TGCTGGAACA GGAATCCACA 1020 GACCTGACAC AGGTGAGCGA GGCAGCCGGG CCCCTTGTCC CACCACCCGC ACTTCCCAAC 1080 TGCACAGCCT CGAGTAGAAC CCTGGATCCG GCTTGT 1116 372 amino acids amino acid single linear protein 20 Met Asn Gly Ser Gly Ser Gln Gly Ala Glu Asn Thr Ser Gln Glu Gly 1 5 10 15 Gly Ser Gly Gly Trp Gln Pro Glu Ala Val Leu Val Pro Leu Phe Phe 20 25 30 Ala Leu Ile Phe Phe Val Gly Thr Val Gly Asn Ala Leu Val Leu Ala 35 40 45 Val Leu Leu Arg Gly Gly Gln Ala Val Ser Thr Thr Asn Leu Phe Ile 50 55 60 Leu Asn Leu Gly Val Ala Asp Leu Cys Phe Ile Leu Cys Cys Val Pro 65 70 75 80 Phe Gln Ala Thr Ile Tyr Thr Leu Asp Asp Trp Val Phe Gly Ser Leu 85 90 95 Leu Cys Lys Ala Val His Phe Leu Ile Phe Leu Thr Met His Ala Ser 100 105 110 Ser Phe Thr Leu Ala Ala Val Ser Leu Asp Arg Tyr Leu Ala Ile Arg 115 120 125 Tyr Pro Leu His Ser Arg Glu Leu Arg Thr Pro Arg Asn Ala Leu Ala 130 135 140 Ala Ile Gly Leu Ile Trp Gly Leu Ala Leu Leu Phe Ser Gly Pro Tyr 145 150 155 160 Leu Ser Tyr Tyr Arg Gln Ser Gln Leu Ala Asn Leu Thr Val Cys His 165 170 175 Pro Ala Trp Ser Ala Pro Arg Arg Arg Ala Met Asp Leu Cys Thr Phe 180 185 190 Val Phe Ser Tyr Leu Leu Pro Val Leu Val Leu Ser Leu Thr Tyr Ala 195 200 205 Arg Thr Leu Arg Tyr Leu Trp Arg Thr Val Asp Pro Val Thr Ala Gly 210 215 220 Ser Gly Ser Gln Arg Ala Lys Arg Lys Val Thr Arg Met Ile Ile Ile 225 230 235 240 Val Ala Val Leu Phe Cys Leu Cys Trp Met Pro His His Ala Leu Ile 245 250 255 Leu Cys Val Trp Phe Gly Arg Phe Pro Leu Thr Arg Ala Thr Tyr Ala 260 265 270 Leu Arg Ile Leu Ser His Leu Val Ser Tyr Ala Asn Ser Cys Val Asn 275 280 285 Pro Ile Val Tyr Ala Leu Val Ser Lys His Phe Arg Lys Gly Phe Arg 290 295 300 Lys Ile Cys Ala Gly Leu Leu Arg Pro Ala Pro Arg Arg Ala Ser Gly 305 310 315 320 Arg Val Ser Ile Leu Ala Pro Gly Asn His Ser Gly Ser Met Leu Glu 325 330 335 Gln Glu Ser Thr Asp Leu Thr Gln Val Ser Glu Ala Ala Gly Pro Leu 340 345 350 Val Pro Pro Pro Ala Leu Pro Asn Cys Thr Ala Ser Ser Arg Thr Leu 355 360 365 Asp Pro Ala Cys 370 

What is claimed:
 1. A method of determining if a compound is a GALR2 ligand comprising contacting the compound and a GALR2 and determining if binding occurs, wherein said GALR2 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 20. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said GALR2 consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 20. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said GALR2 is purified.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of producing said GALR2 from recombinant nucleic acid.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said recombinant nucleic acid comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 19. 6. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of producing said GALR2 from recombinant nucleic acid.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said recombinant nucleic acid comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 19. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of producing said GALR2 from recombinant nucleic acid. 